Tenses:
Complete Guide on Present Perfect Verb Tenses for ELL
What is the present perfect tense?
The present perfect tense in English expresses action(s) or state(s) from indefinite periods in the past. Specific actions and states are not used with this tense. The present perfect tense requires the helping verb have/has and the past participle of the main verb.
Form
subject + have + past participle
subject + has + past participle (3rd person singular)
Examples
I have worked at the restaurant for three years.
She has worked at the restaurant for three years.
When is the present perfect tense used?
The present perfect tense is used when something happened in the past but the exact time is not important. It is commonly used to express things that started in the past that have not finished. It is also used to express repeated actions.
Past Simple
- I walked to school today.
- He began the project yesterday.
- They worked in Alaska last week.
Present Perfect
- I have walked to school.
- He has begun the project
- They have worked in Alaska.
Past Simple
- I lived in New York City for two years.
- He was here yesterday.
- It rained last night.
Present Perfect
- I have lived in New York City for two years.
- He has been here since yesterday.
- It has rained all night.
Past Simple
- I broke my arm last year.
- Ted read that book in the 10th grade.
- We saw that movie last week.
Present Perfect
- I have broken my arm three times.
- Ted has read that book twice
- We have seen that movie many times.
What are examples of present perfect negative statements?
Negative statements in the present perfect tense are formed in the following manner: subject + have/has + not + past participle
Present Perfect Statement
- I have been to France three times.
- You have studied for the test for a week.
- He has talked about the project.
- She has baked three cakes.
- It has snowed a lot this winter.
- We have come to a decision.
- They have read the news.
Present Perfect Negative Statement
- I have not been to France.
- You have not studied for the test.
- He has not talked about the project.
- She has not baked any cakes.
- It has not snowed yet this winter.
- We have not come to a decision.
- They have not read the news.
What are examples of present perfect questions?
Questions in the present perfect tense are formed in the following manner: have/has + subject + past participle
Present Perfect Question
- Have I done a good job?
- Have you tried the ice cream?
- Has Alan been to Mexico?
- Has Sierra left yet?
- Has the computer locked you out?
- Have we received the information.
- Have they ever helped you?
Present Perfect Statement
- Yes, you have done a great job.
- No, I have not tried the ice cream.
- Yes, he has been to Mexico twice.
- No, she hasn’t left yet.
- Yes, it has locked me out.
- No, we haven’t received the information.
- Yes, they have helped me many times.
What are good examples of the present perfect tense?
More Examples of Present Perfect Tense
- I have read that book twice.
- He has been here since yesterday.
- You have not studied for the test.
- She has not baked anything all week.
- We haven’t seen that movie.
- It hasn’t snowed yet this winter.
- Have you tried the ice cream?
- Has Alan been to France?
